Your Thursday morning dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets lost to the Nationals again last night, as Bartolo Colon gave up three runs in six innings. The lineup didn't help much, either, scoring one run in the first inning and nothing more, and the bullpen gave up two runs in three innings of work. Choose your recap: Times, Post, Newsday, Daily News, mets.com, ESPN New York, Amazin' Avenue.
Ruben Tejada didn't slide on a play at home plate, potentially costing the Mets' their second run of the game in the fifth inning last night. Terry Collins says Tejada didn't know what to do.
New outfielder Chris Young made his Mets debut after missing Opening Day with a strained quad. He lasted just half an inning, though, before the injury forced him out of the game. He says the beginning of the regular season has been like a bad dream.
Zack Wheeler makes his season debut at 1:10 pm today as the Mets seek their first victory of the year.
Daniel Murphy didn't play yesterday because he took paternity leave. Of course, WFAN had a banner day criticizing him for doing so.
The best Mets news of the past twenty-four hours was that Frank Viola's heart surgery went well.
Sports on Earth has a great piece on Bobby Abreu. Sandy Alderson told the media yesterday that he thinks Abreu could be a bench bat or fifth outfielder.
The Mets have struck out a bunch of times in their first two games. Newsday dubs their ballpark "Strikeout Citi."
Speaking of Alderson, you might have noticed that his bullpens have been bad. And with Bobby Parnell on the shelf for at least several weeks, Jared Diamond of the Journal looks at the team's options in the pen.
The Mets are only two games into the season, but Jason Fry's already at the end of his rope over at Faith and Fear.
If you're in need of a good laugh, MLB Network reenacted Bryce Harper's slide into Eric Young Jr.'s leg on Opening Day.
Around the NL East
The Braves turned to Aaron Harang in their second game of the season, a sure sign of doom and gloom, and what's that? They won? Damn.
Well, the Phillies took a two-run lead into the ninth inning and Jonathan Papelbon blew the save, ending the game with a walk-off walk.
Giancarlo Stanton hit the first of many home runs this year, but the Marlinsfell to the Rockies.
Around Major League Baseball
Eno Sarris talked to Cleveland pitcher Danny Salazar about returning from surgery too soon.
Beyond the Box Score takes a look at how hitters fare when they swing in a 3-0 count.
Hardball Times looks back at beer and baseball.
Yesterday at AA
Here's a look back at Jose Valverde's career, as he's taken over the closer gig for the Mets.
The community projection series continues with Curtis Granderson.
The Mets' bullpen looks awful so far, but it's likely to be better over the rest of the season.
The team outrighted Ryan Reid to make room for Kyle Farnsworth. Bobby Parnell officially hit the disabled list.